This course uses a social scientific approach to examine the circumstances and dynamics characterizing black communities in the contemporary United States. Key areas of inquiry include the operation of major social institutions shaping community life, social class divisions, health and housing prospects, and the ways that the intersections of racial/ethnic identity, class, and gender shape the experiences of community members. No first-year students are admitted. (Formerly SOAN 321.) Prerequisite: SOCI 201 (formerly SOAN 204) or SOCI 250 (formerly SOAN 210) or ALST 202 or permission of instructor. This course is crosslisted as ALST 321.